Our Pet Boarding Facility

• Designed with great thought and care, our 16,500 square foot pet boarding facility is filled with special touches that assure your pet’s comfort and safety while staying with us:
• Our boarding facility is air-conditioned and heated.
  We do not use evaporative "swamp" coolers which do not produce the same level of home-like comfort to which your pet is accustomed.

• Water-loving dogs will think our canine Splash & Play Water Park is the perfect activity for a hot summer day at the resort!
  Designed just for dogs, our canine water park features water-side decks, a waterfall and a maximum 18" depth. Only supervised play is allowed at the water park, where both large and small dogs will enjoy the chance to cool off in the company of our trained resort staff.

• Skylights are located throughout the pet resort, bathing animal areas in natural light.

• Our pet resort is divided into seven individual dog “pavilions,” reducing the noise level and ensuring that all of our canine guests remain calm and relaxed.

• While spending time in our exercise yards, our 7’ high walls keep even the largest dogs safely enclosed.
  And, inside the pet resort you’ll find several layers of interior doors, assuring that our boarding facility is more secure than most private homes.

• In addition to 24-hour staffing
  our boarding facility also features fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and security monitoring devices, and our systems are monitored 24 hours a day.

• Drive up under our covered entryway when dropping off or picking up your pet, to assure your pet’s paws aren’t burned on the hot Arizona pavement.
  Once outside temperatures rise above 85 degrees, tender paws can become scorched.

• Our animal guests enjoy the sound of calming music, including smooth jazz and soft contemporary rhythms, during their stay.

Why Second Home Pet Resort is Different

• At Second Home Pet Resort, we designed our boarding facility and resort amenities with our own pets in mind. This pet resort, nearly 10 years in the making, is the culmination of years of careful study and thought. We visited over 70 pet boarding facilities across the United States, combining the very best features and designs into one extraordinary destination resort for your pet.

24-hour Pet Care Staffing

• We personally could not leave our pets in a boarding facility that was not occupied by a pet care staff member 24 hours a day.
  Having a pet caregiver on site, all day and all night, contributes to added peace of mind and is a “must” at Second Home Pet Resort.

• A night attendant is on duty after our guest service attendants go home for the evening
  before our morning pet care staff arrives, to secure our building and grounds for the safety of our dog and cat guests. Our night attendant will quietly make rounds several times during the night attending to any special pet guest needs, administering bedtime medications, and taking care of any late-night pet suite housekeeping needs.

Our Second Home Pet Resort Staff

• Employees of Second Home Pet Resort must share our passion for pets; it’s our Number One selection criteria!
  We offer ongoing pet care educational opportunities including certification classes offered by the Pet Care Services Association, veterinary workshops, Pet CPR & First Aid, and competitive pay and benefits.

• Our employees are focused on delighting our clients and pet guests alike – their focus on safety, comfort, and fun ensures that your pet’s vacation will be truly memorable!

• If you have an experience with one of our employees that you’d like to share, please e-mail us at info@secondhomepetresort.com. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

The Pet Resort Founders

• Roger Naumann, owner & CEO
  Roger Naumann, owner & CEO has lived in the Valley for 24 years. For more than 28 years he served as a hotel executive with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, focused on creating a memorable guest experience for the most discriminating "human" guests at 12 different properties throughout the United States. His experience includes the management of Hyatt resorts in Sarasota, Florida; Monterey, California; San Diego, California; and Maui, Hawaii. Most recently, he oversaw the construction and operations of a state-of-the-art animal welfare center in Flagstaff, Arizona – the Second Chance Center for Animals. This facility serves as home on a daily basis to more than 200 cats and dogs who are waiting for new, loving homes. Through this experience with the Center, Roger knew that his dream was to create a special place for pets right in his own backyard, and in 2008, that dream became a reality. His luxury resort experience, combined with his love of and experience working with animals, means your special pet is in good hands.

• Cheryl Naumann, owner
  Cheryl Naumann, owner has more than 20 years of experience as a human resources executive and is passionate about selecting and developing talented individuals who embrace an organization’s mission and believe in service excellence. Cheryl also served as the President and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, the fifth largest animal welfare organization in the nation, for nearly six years. In her role as CEO, Cheryl was responsible for overseeing all business operations including the animal care and behavior, adoptions and veterinary services departments. Her experience working with thousands of animals of all breeds and backgrounds, each with their own unique personality and life story, has contributed to the creation of a unique and special experience for your own pet’s stay at Second Home Pet Resort.

The Pet Resort Leadership

• Alicia Fremling, director
  Alicia Fremling, director came to Second Home Pet Resort in April 2013 after three years as an Innovation Fellow in the Arizona State University Office of the President. In this role, she directed special projects that advanced the university's commitment to access, excellence and impact and built innovative partnerships that increased access to educational resources and positively impacted social and economic development. During her time with ASU, she also volunteered with the Arizona Humane Society and Washington Humane Society (while working for a time in D.C.) as a foster parent, with the trap-neuter-release program, on special events and hosted fundraisers. In her role as director, Alicia focuses on pet resort operations and business development.

• Jordan Cowan, resort manager
  Jordan Cowan, resort manager joined the Second Home Pet Resort team as a Client Service Specialist in December 2009. She has worked primarily at our front desk but has also worked in Doggie Day Care, as a Guest Service Attendant and also in Grooming. Jordan was promoted to Resort Supervisor in August 2012, and she proved herself to be a very dedicated and hard-working individual. In January 2013, Jordan was promoted to Resort Manager. In her role, she is responsible for supervision of the operations in our Director's absence, as well as assuming primary responsibility for Guest Services. Previously, Jordan worked for Stonecrest Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician, Receptionist and Kennel Attendant.

• Rob Anderson, lead guest service attendant
  Rob Anderson, lead guest service attendant joined Second Home Pet Resort in October 2010 after servicing for three years as an assistant manager at a local animal shelter. Prior to joining the animal welfare industry, Rob worked in sales & security but found his true calling in working with animals. At the Resort, Rob leads a team of guest service attendants to ensure excellent care for our pet guests during their stays. Additionally, Rob is our primary trainer for new employees who join our pet care team. He is also our photographer & videographer for our pet guests.

• Cody Cristel, lead guest service attendant
  Cody Cristel, lead guest service attendant has worked for Second Home Pet Resort since July 2009. He came to Second Home Pet Resort with previous pet resort experience. As the morning lead guest service attendant, Cody works hands on with all of our pet guests, often giving exit baths to ensure pet cleanliness. He also supervises the staff to ensure all guests' safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Cody's favorite thing about working at Second Home Pet Resort is being able to work with the adoptable dogs and cats and being there when they find their forever homes.

• Colleen Frankie, lead guest service attendant
  Colleen Frankie, lead guest service attendant came to Second Home Pet Resort in May 2012, after working in a variety of industries. She decided to transition to the animal welfare industry while working as a volunteer with Paw Placement, a rescue committed to adoption and education about responsible pet guardianship. Colleen was promoted to serve as our evening lead guest service attendant. In this role, Colleen leads a team of guest service attendants who specialize in greeting pet guests, showing them to their accommodations, preparing meals, administering medication, and ensuring our pet guests' overall safety, comfort, and happiness.

• Nikki Laufenberg, lead doggie day care attendant
  Nikki Laufenberg, lead doggie day care attendant has been with Second Home Pet Resort since the very beginning when we opened in September 2008. Nikki serves as our Lead Day Care Attendant and manages a team of two full-time and several part-time attendants. Prior to joining us, Nikki worked at a local rescue and earned a bachelor's degree in Veterinarian Science from the University of Arizona. If your dog comes to Doggie Day Care, you likely met Nikki when your dog had his/her initial evaluation. Nikki is responsible for ensuring every dog's safety and enjoyment while participating in Doggie Day Care.

• Ruth Ann Prida, night care attendant
  Ruth Ann Prida, night care attendant has been with Second Home Pet Resort since we opened in September of 2008. Ruth's specialty is providing individualized care for pets who struggle to adjust to the pet resort environment. She loves giving extra attention to the special needs pet guests. She also ensures that our facility is pristine for our clients and pet guests. During the day, Ruth also works as a customer associate a Fresh & Easy. While you're away, if you ever wake up in the middle of the night thinking of your pet, know that Ruth is here keeping careful watch over all our pet guests.

• Ashley Pelton, canine trainer and behavior specialist
  Ashley Pelton, canine trainer and behavior specialist came to Second Home Pet Resort in June 2012, after working with dogs for over 10 years. In 2005, Ashley augmented her canine behavior knowledge and handling skills by attending the Triple Crown Academy School for Professional Dog Trainers. After Ashley graduated Triple Crown, she managed a small doggie daycare and training facility. Ashley now serves as a daycare attendant and Second Home Pet Resort's dog trainer and behavior specialist. Through Second Home Pet Resort, she offers private and in-home training sessions; as well as training clients' dogs while they are staying at our boarding facilities. Ashley focuses on positive reinforcement techniques and will tailor her methods for each pet.

The Inspiration

• A little lemon Beagle named Pogo
  A little lemon Beagle named Pogo born in 1989, serves as the inspiration behind this incredible place. Born with the odds against her, Pogo battled a number of congenital conditions during her lifetime. Yet, her owners, Roger and Cheryl Naumann, made certain that her every need was met and her life was full of comfort, love, and joy. Pogo was famous for stealing any purse, hip pack or duffle bag that smelled like it might contain something edible, dragging it out the doggie door and out into the back yard under an orange tree, unzipping the bag and consuming the contents. Guests at the house were warned to keep their luggage, bags, and belongings secured behind a closed door – nothing could stop the little 15-pound Pogo! She was her family’s beloved companion, the initially-reluctant companion of Limo, the later-adopted Beagle-Basset, and down the road, other pets rescued by her mom and dad. Pogo passed away in 2005 at age 16, but her inspiration lives on. “Pogo’s Place,” a fostering and adoption facility in the lobby of Second Home Pet Resort, is named in Pogo’s memory. Our hope is that many other pets who need new homes will find their forever families here and will begin their new lives filled with love and happiness.